From 13 to 42: Celebrating 30 Years of Brotherhood in Taipei #from13to42

 30 years man. 3 decades. 

That's how long we've known each other. 

For better or worse, the 3 years lost to Covid meant that we could only make a trip together 5 years after our previous one, but this time, instead of 3, 4 out of 5 of us could make it (for most of the trip anyway)!

Under the bright lights of Taipei. Photo credit: Jeek's Foodmaze

Even though we do not live in the same country, with most of our correspondences limited to an active WhatsApp chatgroup, our friendship and mutual understanding just got stronger over the years. I loved how we used "Oh-Peh-Som" (#iykyk) to decide our roommates for the trip, confirming how we loved each other equally and would enjoy any companion without preferences.

It's also interesting how we chose to reminisce in Taiwan again, albeit adding Tainan as a new destination to freshen things up, and had little to no comments to whatever we decided to do on the day, as long as we were together. We ended up walking 15-20km per day in between countless meals, trying to burn the calories we consumed, even though we consciously reduced the portions we ordered throughout the trip. 

I guess I will keep this simple and let these precious pictures tell the rest of the story.

The 3 of us shot to Tainan straight after arrival, still wide-eyed and excited over our late night supper.

It was street food mania, left-right-centre in Tainan. We ate and ate.

Not forgetting to explore the little alleys of Tainan.

Of course the big ones too.

During some rare down-time where we couldn't eat anymore, we visited the Confucius Temple.

Till we hobbled back to Taipei to complete the Fearsome 4some aka F4.

And things started to get a bit more interesting. Photo credit: Jeek's Foodmaze

Though some things remained the same - we walked.

And ate. Photo credit: Jeek's Foodmaze

And ate.

Threw in a hike up Elephant Mountain.

In order to eat again. Photo credit: Jeek's Foodmaze

Woke early to hit the gym.

To enjoy our one and only bubble tea (less ice less sweet).

But the most important thing.

Was obviously (not my shirt). Photo credit: Jeek's Foodmaze

That we were hanging out together. Photo credit: Jeek's Foodmaze

Through our last 2 trips in Taiwan, aside of us, there was 1 other constant, Jeek, whose showed us true Taiwanese spirit and hospitality by bringing us to the best places in Taipei, taking the best pictures of us in the process, leaving us with the best memories. Thank you Jeek, it was tough on you, we promise to come bother you again in the future.

The last word, as usual, has to go to our better halves, who held the fort at home with the little ones while the 4 musketeers had the time of our lives. It would not have been possible without your generous blessings.

So thank you, Li Li, Grace, Zhimin and Regine. Now that you know we are such good boys, when can we do it again?

PS. To complete the archives of our travel series, look here.

From 13 to 37: First trip together (to Taipei) after 24 years! #cobrosintaiwan

24 years.

2 full zodiac cycle runs.

288 months.

105,120 days.

6 million 3 hundred thousand 7 thousand and 2 hundred minutes.

My favourite picture of the entire trip. Sunset, brotherhood, sights at 九份.

You would think we would have traveled the world multiple times in these 2.5 decades.

No.

Aside of a visit by them 6 years ago, the closest we had to traveling as a group was nearly 20 years ago to Beijing performing for our secondary school's chinese orchestra (which didn't feel THAT long ago).

Apparently, during the occasional supper/breakfast gatherings the group conducted in my absence (in Singapore), they decided to simply go ahead to plan this trip. This "do-it-or-it-will-never-happen" is the spirit I have grown to love. Eventually, only 3 of us made it, but we made it!

A vacation 24 years in the making started and ended in a flash. So much fun, so much love. This is brotherhood, at its best. #cobrosintaiwan #strangerin台北

A post shared by Eddie Yii (@strangerinbangkok) on Apr 1, 2018 at 3:38am PDT

We sacrificed sleep, took red-eye flights from 2 different cities to meet up in Taipei as early as possible and set off on our food journey, luggage and all, immediately.

Our first stop, with luggages and all.

We walked and walked, ate and ate, from daybreak till almost daybreak the following day. Every night, I walked, zombified with them, filled to the brim with whatever Taipei had to offer, thinking we were heading back to our room, only for them to shockingly turn into another shop, for one more meal.

Pretty lady aside, I realised my friends have the skill of eating while sleeping.

Yet, it was during these most physically-draining hours that we poured our hearts out (over mineral water and Ume Plum Juice) and shared the most intimate details of our lives.

It was not all food though, we also managed to catch "Ready Player One".

Of course, we made sure not to miss out the best parts from our respective previous trips to Taipei (while skipping the bad parts), experiencing each other's best memories of the city.

In spite of many obstacles and unforeseen circumstances, we made the trip out out of Taipei to relive memories, for Yc's unforgettable 蟹肉羹 and 油饭, to understand why he couldn't forget the flavours. Effort well-spent for a dear friend. #基隆庙口夜市 #油饭 #蟹肉羹 #keelung #traveltaiwan #traveltaipei #strangerin台北 #cobrosintaiwan

A post shared by Eddie Yii (@strangerinbangkok) on Apr 3, 2018 at 8:59pm PDT

Here, I would like to first, thank Youchun and Junxiong, for being such great company. For a trip like this, cliche as it may sound, I cannot ask for better companions. I am not the best travel partner, I am not easy to please, so thank you, for being such a good sport navigating everyday to find the best dining spots, accompanying me to RAW and spending a precious day with my friends. I hope you guys had fun along the way.

Over-exposed pic of us at RAW, glad to get seats, glad for the company!

Thanks to all my foodie pals for your pointers and recommendations, time and hospitality. Our food trip wouldn't be half as fruitful without your divine interventions and input.

A lot of elements super on point in this picture, except, why do I look so much shorter than this guy when I am actually taller? I blame the photographer @ewe_chun_siong. #bibgourmand #foochowfood #foochowpride #strangerin台北 #traveltaiwan #traveltaipei #cobrosintaiwan #pepperbun #绕河夜市 #胡椒餅

A post shared by Eddie Yii (@strangerinbangkok) on Apr 5, 2018 at 4:00pm PDT

The biggest thanks MUST go to Regine and Li Li, our better halves who blessed us on this trip, weathering everything at home with the little ones, making sure we can have as much fun as possible.

Trust me, we were good boys, we either ate, listened to singing performances, or chilled at 24-hr bookstores when we decided it was not time to sleep yet. Really!!

Cheers to our long friendship in Taiwan with the weirdest drink we will ever drink together. Anyone care to guess what's in our glasses? #rawtaipei #michelinstar #asiastop50 #strangerin台北 #cobrosintaiwan

A post shared by Eddie Yii (@strangerinbangkok) on Apr 4, 2018 at 3:03am PDT

Lastly, using a special song, let's remember this trip fondly, and know it in our hearts that no matter where our lives' journey take us, our brotherhood shall not waver.

Cheers to more milestones together.

這麼多年的兄弟

有誰比我更瞭解你

太多太多不容易
磨平了歲月和脾氣

時間轉眼就過去

這身後不散的筵席

只因為我們還在
心留在原地

From 13 to 32: Speech transcript for Mario (PQ) and Luigi's (Junxiong) wedding

A couple of weeks ago, I made a whirlwind trip to Singapore for the sole reason of supporting my dear brother Junxiong's wedding, and boy was it a great trip. We had a heck of a time, especially in our costumes with the sisters at Chinese Garden filming our martial arts movie.

Girls, you are not 村姑，but beautiful students from 1920s China

But cannot compare with how cool we are la

I was actually also invited by Junxiong to represent the brothers to make a speech during dinner, which (thankfully) was scrapped at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances. Though I was relieved (I am sure you are too Adeline) at that time because I did not make proper preparation to do him justice, I feel that I should still publish my cancelled speech here to commemorate our friendship and to bless this cute couple, so here goes:

Sawatdii Krup. My name is Eddie and I am from Bangkok. Junxiong probably chose me to give this speech because I traveled the farthest to get here, so I am due more screentime, but I am happy he chose me anyway. 

(laughter)

Where should I start? We have a long long history together. Let's just start from the first day of Secondary School in 1994 (where did all that time go), when we became each other's first friends in an intimidating new environment. That was his first of many other mishaps with me. I soon conned him to become part of the Chinese Orchestra, where we were separated as I got my wish to play the erhu and he got chosen to play the cello (I suspect because of his size).

Come to think of it, he got the better deal. While my erhu is rotting at home, and can only become useful either in another Chinese Orchestra or by the roadside when I lose my job, Junxiong has skills to play an instrument that is pivotal in most genres of music, even blues and jazz. He should actually thank me for it, but he never did.

(laughter)

Our time in the Chinese Orchestra ultimately proved to be one of the most important chapters of our lives. It was where the 5-man team formed, with Guangjin (spelt correct or not), Guojun and Youchun completing the Pentagon of strength which is still standing firm 20 years down the road.

(applause)

I am sure this was how we enjoyed ourselves 20 years ago too

I remembered us sticking together through thick and thin. Who can forget all those endless hours of practice 3 to 4 days a week, the triumphs and disappointments in various competitions, culminating with a rapturous crescendo in 1998 when we made our first trip abroad together to hold a concert in Beijing.

(Noah calls Daddy)

Every CO practice seemed to be our warm-up before we took our positions on court after our conductor finally allowed us to put our instruments down. Our basketball sessions were always too short, even though most of them ended after nightfall, when our young eyes could hardly make out the outline of the basket. It would be followed by a mad scramble to the vending machine and everyone gulping down at least 3 packets of H2O each. It was on the basketball court that we ultimately forged our seamless understanding that lasts till today.

(Noah keeps calling Daddy and there is a prolonged pause in the speech)

However, for a period of 5 to 6 years after JC, the 5 of us lost touch completely. This was when Junxiong spent the time of his life (oops) in Japan. I was told that all the bad things in his life happened there, and they will never be uncovered again (you might be able to find out more from Meicheng with some effective bribes).

(laughter)

When we finally met again. Junxiong was literally a changed man. He shrunk beyond recognition. Japan was not good to him. No wonder all the bad things happened there.

(laughter)

Look at us then. Look at all of us now. From being clearly the fattest, he is now clearly the skinniest. Aside of the evergreen Guangjin, all of us have expanded consistently with age, except for our groom today. 

This transformation is definitely not by chance. No one knows how many bad things he did in Japan to achieve the amazing weightloss, but we all know how hard he has been trying to maintain his figure for the last few years. This sheer determination cannot be taken for granted, and I am sure he will use the same determination to make our Mario PQ the 2nd happiest wife in the world, after mine.

(Laughter)

Make sure you make her the 2nd happiest wife in the world

So now, let me represent the brothers, and everyone else here, to take our knives and do a deep cut into the delicious stuffed chicken (or not-so-delicious sambal fish) on our plates in front of us to wish them eternal marital bliss. Thank you everyone for your attention, bon appetit.

(Rapturous applause and standing ovation from Noah)

So there you have it, the brother speech that was fortunately not done on the big day itself. I would hereby like to thank Junxiong and PQ, for involving us to help you organize such a memorable wedding, and also for putting so much effort to con us into starring in your wedding video. So let me end this post off by showing this video off to everyone. Have a good laugh.

PS. Thank you Kinici Photo for the nice pictures and Andy for the video!

From 13 to 30: Celebrating 18 years of friendship

Brotherhood is amazing.

From the time Junxiong and I became each other's first friends in a strange new environment during the first day of secondary school, little did we know that this allegiance will become a brotherhood that will last till now. In fact, he might have bore a grudge against me for accidentally roping him in Chinese Orchestra (CO), but things happen for a reason. Youchun (who didn't really like me in the beginning for some reason), Guangjin and Guojun soon joined us to become the closest-knit bunch you could ever find.

The gang at SanSuk Resort, minus Guojun, who didn't make it for the reunion.

Who could forget the endless CO practices, at times even up to 4 times a week including Sundays, the many triumphs and disappointments in various performances and competitions, and our first trip abroad together in Beijing when we were 17.

Our mutual understanding is most evident when we're on the basketball court. Take us apart and we're 5 mediocre amateur players, but put us in the same team together and we become a match for most teams as our passing is almost telepathic. I always had most to gain because I am a tall, immobile spot-shooter and they could always find me at the sweetest location for me to have a clear shot for important points. So thanks again, for making me feel useful despite my limitations.


We went through fun times.



And the most tiring of times.

18 years have flown by, we have all matured into fine gentlemen, with Guojun waiting to welcome his baby daughter in no time and myself already based in Bangkok for the fore-seeable future. In spite of this, whenever we meet, we can always talk about everything in life into the wee hours of the morning, as if we were 13 all over again.

Thanks Guangjin, for always being so agreeable to most of our requests and quietly supporting everything we do, and organising this ultra-fun Thailand reunion for our gang.

Thanks Youchun, for being so tolerant with our ceaseless bullying at times, being my best man for my wedding and sending me to the airport just to spend some precious time with an old friend.

Thanks Junxiong, for being so enthusiastic about everything, helping me with my 过大礼 and wedding, and taking the time to rush to Bangkok after work at night to join us for the trip. I hope I can do something for you in the future.

Thanks Guojun, for always being there to cheer us up with your laughter and jokes. Thank you too for coordinating Wowwowwed so effectively during my wedding. Being the point guard in our team, you make us tick. Don't worry, we're all happy that you decided to take good care of your wife during her pregnancy, I am sure you will be a great Dad.

Thanks again everyone for coming to Thailand to share all that I am doing here. I know you guys made the trip here just to spend some good time with an old friend, and I really hope you did, because I had the time of my life and I wouldn't exchange this week for anything else. Let's just make sure that this is not the last time we do something similar, but the first of many to come.

Thanks for gracing my small little company in its last days before moving to a bigger location. Thanks for becoming part of its history, as this is where it all started and like it or not, now all of you are part of it, and I wouldn't want it any other way.